How to play Texas Hold'em

The aim

Win chips by winning pots. You win a pot either by having the best hand when the cards are shown, or by betting so that everyone else folds before then. Your hand is the best five cards from your two cards and five shared cards on the board.

A hand, step by step

1. The blinds. One player has the dealer button. The player to their left puts in the small blind, and the next player the big blind, usually twice as much. Blinds make sure there's something to play for. The button moves one seat left every hand.
2. The deal. Everyone gets two cards face down, called hole cards. Only you can see yours.
3. Betting before the flop. Starting with the player left of the big blind, everyone in turn folds (gives up the hand), calls (matches the big blind) or raises (bets more). The blinds act last.
4. The flop. Three cards come face up in the middle. Everyone can use them. Another round of betting follows, starting with the first player still in left of the button. With no bet yet, you can check (pass) instead of betting.
5. The turn. A fourth card comes face up, then another round of betting.
6. The river. The fifth and last card, then the last round of betting.
7. The showdown. If two or more players are still in, they show their cards and the best five-card hand wins. Equal hands split the pot.

Whenever everyone but one player folds, that player wins the pot straight away, without showing.

Your choices on your turn

Check

Pass without betting. Only when nobody has bet yet in this round.

Bet

Put chips in when nobody has yet. Others must match it to stay in.

Call

Match the biggest bet so far.

Raise

Bet more than the biggest bet so far. Everyone else must match the new amount, or fold.

Fold

Give up your cards and any chips you've put in. You're out until the next hand.

An example hand

You raise before the flop and one player calls.

You have a pair of queens with an ace, the best kicker, and two more hearts would give you a flush. You bet, and your opponent calls. The turn is the 5♠ and the river the K♥: your flush is complete. Your opponent shows K♠ Q♦ for two pair, kings and queens, but your ace-high flush wins.

Cheat sheet for beginners

• Fold most hands before the flop. Pairs, two high cards and suited aces are the ones to play.
• You can use both your cards, one, or none: the best five of the seven count.
• A flush beats a straight. Three of a kind beats two pair. See them all.
• Acting last is an advantage. Play more hands when you're on or near the button.
• Don't worry about the maths at first: Poker Rooms works out the pot, the side pots and who won.